Walking London’s Civil War Defences in Islington (4K)

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“Waterfield Fort was at the top of St John's Street, exactly where Spa Green Estate stands today, linked eastwards by trenches running along Sebastian Street to a huge fort at Mount Mills off the Goswell Road. Westwards, the lines cut to New River Head's circular reservoir and on to Mount Pleasant, east of Black Mary's Hole and another city dump. In between, a covered walkway was cut up the hill that is now Amwell Street, to Islington Pond, which would soon became the extant reservoir in Claremont Square.”
The author, Guy Mannes Abbott, makes the link between this system of fortifications that stretched eastwards through Shoreditch and Whitechapel to Wapping, built to protect the fledgling English Revolution, and the Utopian aspirations of the municipal architecture of Berthold Lubetkin built in the old London borough of Finsbury.
This video starts at the old Roman wall at Aldersgate then passes the Barbican. We then follow civil war line of communication from Mount Mills, just off Goswell Road, along Sebastian Street to Northampton Square, up St John Street to Spa Green Estate site of Waterfield Fort. We then walk through Spa Green to the site of the New River Head and down Rosebery Ave to Mount Pleasant Fort. The final stage of this classic London walking tour goes up Amwell Street to Claremont Square site of the Fort Royal.
Link to Forting by Guy Mannes-Abbot - originally published in AA Files Issue 42 Spring 2001 notesfromafruitstore.net/2010...
My original 2005 blog post: Walking the Finsbury Forts thelostbyway.com/2005/09/walk...
Related videos:
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• London’s Little Italy ...
Walking the Secret Alignments of London
• Walking the Secret Ali...
Mysteries on the City Fringe | Clerkenwell Walk
• Mysteries on the City ...
Walking the River Fleet - Lost Rivers of London
• Walking the River Flee...
Map and Image info
Hollar Islington Image - Creative Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Mount Mills Fort image
www.bl.uk/collection-items/pr...
Image is taken from ‘The Malignants trecherous and bloody plot against the Parliament and Citty of London which was by God’s providence happily prevented May 31, 1643’. The engraved scenes only portray this one episode - in May 1643 - not the entire Civil War. An engraving describing the plot is followed by some verses addressed to the Malignants.
Usage terms: Public Domain
Historic civil war maps and images reproduced under Creative Commons licence or in the public domain.
Historic Islington maps
'Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland'
maps.nls.uk/index.html
Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
Music
Cylinder One by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/cylinders/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
AerianEndurance - Aerian
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Shot in 4K on a Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark 2 with audio recorded with a Rode Wireless GO
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[@LANCSKID]

For me, John Rogers is a consummate professional. No silly twaddle, no silly puns, smut or constant pleas to subscribe etc. He just gets on with what he sets out to do and does it superbly in a very engaging way, irrespective of the location.

[@williamross2579]

Bloody too right! An oasis of dignity.

[@LANCSKID]

@@williamross2579 Well researched and always prepared to show humility if he makes a mistake. 🧔

[@danieladams9950]

John's content is a joy. Packed with interest.

[@danieladams9950]

I adore John. The picture he paints of London is magnificent.

[@LANCSKID]

@@danieladams9950 Furthermore, he has the humility to admit a factual error or en route mistake if he’s made one.

[@David.W.Kelsey]

Well, was thinking of going to bed, but can't resist a John Rogers walk....

[@thomasmcquade4332]

Literally the same lol

[@rossybink]

Same 😊

[@christacannon5518]

In bed watching now! 😂

[@pauldickinson1434]

Same here!!

[@colinpiper4386]

Just going to bed too 😅

[@Nick-mq9on]

Born & raised in London, I've learned more about the city watching John than my thirty years living there. Top man John.

[@Popeyes66]

Hi John. That closing shot in Chapel Market was taken right next to the stall pitch I worked from selling fruit as a youth in the mid to late 70s. My Boss was Billy Rance who has now sadly gone to meet his maker. What are the odds of me watching this video, and you filming your closing shot from that exact spot!?. Truly mind boggling. Thanks for inadvertently bringing back old memories of a now sadly lost time of my life.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Love coincidences like that. I bet you have some great stories from working in Chapel Market

[@Popeyes66]

I do have lots of stories from back then John. That Market was always packed at weekends. Nowadays it looks like a back street in Beirut. I still have my memories tho,until i lose my marbles and altzheimers sets in . I thank you Sir for your visual documentation of our Country's history . You must narf go thru some boots !

[@mjh5437]

@@Popeyes66 mustn`t `arf

[@markduke8878]

The wood panelled room used by the water board is indeed in that building and well worth a visit on open days. The pump house in the distance is being turned into a repository for Quentin Blake’s work. Again worth a visit.

[@blossie33]

Seconded on both your recommendations!

[@chrisblay]

I expect a lot of people living in those streets, don’t realise the history that surrounds them. Always interesting to hear about, as you would often never imagine what went before in apparently ordinary locations today.

[@AliB102]

I love these types of walk! Thank you once again for bringing the history back to life in amongst the modern monstrosities!

[@akwalek]

I really treasure your channel John. Please don't ever stop making these videos.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks- no chance of me stopping, my list of videos to make just gets longer

[@davidshearer8793]

Wow! I worked in the Old Street area for years and I learned so much from this video John. Why weren’t we taught this stuff at school? Looking for the next instalment.

[@howarddavies9932]

Thanks John - what a simple fascinating walk - a great theme and loved the way you also brought in the post war rebuilding aspects. Spent two years as a student at the LSE halls of residence at Rosebery Avenue and so this area has long held fascination - thanks for shedding new light on it.

[@arsenal10141014]

Turnpike house. Used in the Pink Floyd ‘we don’t need no education’ music video. Pink Floyd’s studio was just up the road from there.

[@TXMEDRGR]

I really enjoy these themed walks. Seeing modern London along the way is an added bonus. Thank you.

[@benjamindenton]

Also nearby were Lubetkin's other works: Finsbury Health Centre and Bevin Court flats.

[@luapnosboh7421]

Just under that bridge at barbican stayed in a old brewery top hotel but on a Saturday was like a ghost town love it when it's like that , great vid John love my history but never knew about those fortifications 👍

[@richardsmith8325]

Brilliant timing I went to the London Museum last week as it's closing in December then had a wonder around the Barbican.

[@sarahreffold8161]

Fascinating; LOVE your walks & videos. I recently did most of the walk from Kingsbury to Wembley that was featured in one of your videos, really enjoyed it. Thank you for all you do

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Sarah. So pleased you did the Kingsbury walk

[@sarahreffold8161]

@@JohnRogersWalks I couldn't find West Hill to desend by though-I must confess I caught a bus on the last stage of the trip back to Wembley!

[@robbojax2025]

I have walked these streets many times but never knew the history of the fortifications. Many thanks John.

[@TheMikeleen]

Gee Street had some music studios in the 80s that released "I'll house you' by the Jungle Brothers amongst others I suppose....great vid John.

[@kestrel230]

Talk about coincidence. I was only thinking this morning that the old civil war defences might make an interesting series.. Incidentally the Northampton Sq site of City University contains the original swimming pool for the 1908 Olympics

[@CthulhuInc]

cheers again, john - and i am glad that the weather is still nice for you - we've had snow the last 4/5 days! 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you manage to stay warm!!

[@JTTW1455]

It really is incredible, the layers of history throughout London. You bring your historical perspective to contemporary landscapes so successfully. Fascinating walk John thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks

[@jimmyrussell4330]

Remember going here as a kid playing with the coi carp wiggling finger in the ponds!! Long gone. good memories of the Barbican.

[@prof.heinous191]

What a great film! Used to live around the Angel, choking me up to see these streets, now I live the other side of the world...!

[@ckSport3000]

Your walks.. do take me back in time. I do appreciate these. Cheers.. Curtis, American wanting to be British. (No, I won't have a fake accent)

[@LANCSKID]

I always enjoy your videos, John and this one was no exception. Fascinating historical context with a remarkable range of architectural styles as you progressed onwards. I happen to know this area fairly well and it hasn’t changed a great deal since I worked in the Islington area around 7-8 years ago. Kennedys? Absolutely great, no-nonsense chippy … lovely stuff. Look forward to the next one … wherever … that … may … be. 🧔🏼‍♂️

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks for the kind words

[@marty9011]

That was great. There are so many layers of history to explore in London. Never knew there were Civil War defences in London.

[@mheuman]

Thank you, John. Entertaining as always!

[@DagenhamGilly]

As the light fades and the days get cooler Iam looking forward to your winter walks, they are more atmospheric.

[@TheBenchPressMan]

I’m sure i’ve mentioned before but I lived at Barbican for many years and really enjoy your videos!

[@MartinJames389]

There are quite a few "Mount" or "Mound" street names which give a clue to where the 23 mounded forts were raised above the height of the ditch and bank rampart. There is also Rampart Street, E1, of course.

[@TracyPicabia]

Really felt this one. Knew these streets well 30 - 20 years ago. Cheers

[@stevejones3635]

Thank you once again John, I have lived on the Golden Lane Estate for around 30 years, which you feature in this video and did know about the area connection with the civil war. Mount Mills is such an uninspiring back street road, which I have walked past many times but never thought it would have once been the site for an important defence structure. I will treat it with a bit more respect now.

[@highpath4776]

I know bits of the area, but not all the roadways leading north from Old Street parallel to Lever Street etc. Nice to see

[@rossybink]

That was quite simply brilliant. You always make my Sunday evenings 😂🎉 Thanks John, good man!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Rossy

[@dfrankpgh]

I look forward to the other sections of the walk. Magical as always!

[@kimrobinson6280]

Fantastic as always John 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Kim

[@GreyGhost.]

Yet another enlightening gem from the 'Leyton academic' ..... thanks John. Rock on.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Paul

[@wartsnall7332]

"Elizabeth, have you seen what they've done to my defences?"

[@FGCmtg]

Oh wow, this is the area I just moved away from (about a month ago) after seven years. Used to live on Percival St and then on Sekforde St. Thank you for uploading, I learnt a few things I'd not stumbled across in my time there.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Wonderful as ever! Info like this is of especial value to people like me, who are not native Londoners but who have deep family ties here.. On an incidental course, early on in the vid there's a view of one of these lovely little triangular corners you get all over certain bits of London.. F'rinstance, if you're shopping for records/books up West, there's one with a chain coffee shop right on the corner; if there's a bod who's good with the black coffee in there then it's the most delightful place to sit and contemplate one's next move.. Nice one John! 🌟👍

[@paulhutchins6019]

Thanks John for another fascinating walk 👍🏼

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for watching Paul

[@ianstonehouse]

Just discovered this channel, wonderful videos. Used to work around Old Street 25 years ago and I had no idea there had been civil war defences nearby. Come and do a video south of the river (The Great North Wood, Honor Oak, Dick Turpin and Boudica).

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ian - I’ve covered a bit of Honor Oak and you might enjoy the Effra Walk. The Quaggy is next

[@chrisgreen6259]

Good stuff, as always!

[@ralphwinter6421]

Thanks John, interesting walk...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Ralph

[@minascarlett2333]

Great video, thanks....but a small correction: NOT Aneurin Bevin who laid the first stone at Spa Green Estate but Ernest Bevan, labour minister in wartime coalition government

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Aaah - I had a voice of doubt in my head when I said it. You’re too kind Mina - that was a huge blunder on my part

[@Tom_J23]

Thanks John for video!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Tom

[@wetfishman1066]

I attended a talk on the lost rivers of London on 1st November at The Guildhall. a few people there were also fans of your walks, as I am. you also came right into where i live (Seward Street) to film the Mount Mills bit of the film, which is opposite my flat!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s wonderful Brian - thanks

[@javeediqbal3971]

You impart so much knowledge in your walks. This is my personal therapy. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Javeed

[@ceejay8037]

More magic ! Thank you !

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Cee Jay

[@anniec6420]

thank you for such a fasinating walk,....loved it

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Annie

[@devonpixies8641]

Informative and enjoyable as always.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks

[@raymondrichards4888]

All your broadcasts are so enthralling and everyone must have their favorites. Mine is the walks about Grays Inn Road, Lincolns Inn Field, The Temple, The Strand, and Fleet Street. I can't thank you enough. Just a footnote. Were you aware that the RAF/ ? St Clement's church in the Strand near The Aldwych is said to be connected with the Cockney history because it has a bell from the "Bow" foundry. The word Cockney originates from a Cock chicken's egg and is the amalgamation of the French word for egg. Please keep up your great work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Raymond

[@JBLewis]

So excited for this video as it started out in the neighborhood we stayed in in September. The Shakespeare, and Piazza, just at the entry to Barbican Station. The gents at Piazza took care of our breakfast during our stay, and Shakespeare provided a winding down spot after a long day of exploring London.

[@pennydavies6134]

My fave man ,so interesting love rewatching old vlogs too

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Penny

[@4thEyeVision]

thanks John great walk

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers 4thEye

[@ashleysgaze]

Great walk, John! Plenty to take in. Cheers! 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ashley

[@neilstrains]

Wonderful video thanks John - subscribed!

[@mdog111]

Fantastic video John. I always enjoy your Islington videos in particular, having lived in the borough for 18 years when younger and developed a dascination for the area's history. I'm sure I've read that there was a civil war fort at the bottom of Essex Road near Islington Green, but if there was, I guess it wasn't part of London's inner defence line. Thanks for your brilliant videos.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for that mdog I shall look into it

[@mdog111]

@@JohnRogersWalks Nelson's History of Islington (p.18) mentions 'a small redoubt near Islington Pound', also cited in Mary Cosh's History of Islington (p.53). Islington Pound was I believe, at Islington Green. That was the 'fort' that I thought I'd read about years ago. Probably more of a pill box than a fort!

[@uwpartnersUK]

I get very emotional everytime you walk around the street of Iflington been my home since 1988 recently moved out so many memories so much has changed some good some bad just wish I could go & walk around for hours like you do ☺ Thank you for bringing joy to so many people with your videos 🤗

[@daveconyard8946]

Thanks John, Absolutly Brilliant Walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Dave

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Pleasure to join you John.

[@barneykennett9282]

Absolutely marvellous...👍👍.

[@patricklinsley1070]

Great informative video as always!!! Keep them coming.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Patrick

[@angelenoof206]

One of the coolest. Man you reveal worlds

[@thekentishpilgrim]

Always interesting to look at street names and topography when walking around London. If something piques your interest it's worth researching further. You almost always end up learning something interesting. Mount Mills being a very good example of that. Cheers John!

[@markriley4665]

Another fascinating walk John. This is an area a know well but you still manage to uncover new things I wasn’t aware of. Thank you.

[@briancox4339]

Great walk as ever John thanks mate enjoyed very much

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Brian

[@neilcressey8189]

As always super interesting. Love it. Thanks for your hard work. Your videos make me miss London.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Neil

[@The3Kosmos3]

It's amazing to think of the changes that have occurred in those areas since the end of WWII.

[@raymondrichards4888]

Thank you again. Another great video. Your broadcasts are so engaging only because of the preparation you put into them. Truly, thank you once again. I look forward to your next broadcast.

[@LANCSKID]

For me, John Rogers is a consummate professional. No silly twaddle, no silly puns, smut or constant pleas to subscribe etc. He just gets on with what he sets out to do and does it superbly in a very engaging way, irrespective of the location.

[@christoclifford8562]

Thank you, this was so illuminating. I live on the Golden Lane Estate and this is new to me.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Love seeing the historical locations - thank you.

[@davidstewart1028]

Thank you John, another great walk. Looking forward to the next one.

[@nicensleazy1892]

Thoroughly enjoyed that John :-)

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you John for this walk, as it brought back so many memories for me of family and friends who lived in this area as I was growing up. I have walked through these streets many moons ago, they have changed quite a bit but I am able to judge where I am looking at you video. Take care 💕

[@markcoombs5887]

Thanks John, again, I love all of your films. I always look forward to them, but it's always your city walks that remind my why I love London so much (at a time I'm thinking of leaving it)

[@Joy-gc1pi]

Brills, John! So love these walks!

[@mickeythompson9537]

Really interesting walk around some London history I'd totally overlooked.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

Yet again, such a superb, interesting and informative video dear chap. I worked at 'The Mount' for a time before retiring - it was anything but 'Pleasant'. Give me my beloved Eastern District Office (EDO) in Whitechapel Road ANY day of the week.

[@mickadams4471]

Hi John, another excellent vlog. I was thinking about your style of journalism and wondered if you ever subscribe to Smoke magazine?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mick - I wrote for one of their early issues

[@mickadams4471]

I’ll look it up - still got the complete set hiding somewhere 👍🏻

[@sianwarwick633]

Thanks for helpful detour along your route. had read about the Islington pleasure gardens , but wasn't aware until now of the network of pools and reservoirs across that part of London

[@highpath4776]

Civil War defences , new to me , never thought of them ( though I misread title as Cold War Defences in Islington !)

[@chrispegman5462]

Fascinating

[@michaelwood3099]

Back to the London walks I love.

[@mokumhammer]

Thank you John

[@robertmaitland09]

Cheers John.

[@Mouxbar]

I think the Thames Water building is by the same designer as Roding Primary School in Woodford Bridge (John Murray Easton) He did Loughton tube station as well. Can't prove it on a quick Google though! The staircase follows the same form. 🙂

[@markames3688]

Cool stuff. Yeah is coming up quick.

[@danieladams9950]

Always educational. Love your content John.

[@walkalong2811]

Never been in London. It is definitely on my bucket list. Meanwhile I enjoy it through your videos. You just got a new subscriber!!!!

[@johnmurray8428]

Thank you, always a joy to watch your videos. I worked in this area late 60s and very early 70s. What a change.

[@Slycockney]

Another superb video John. Entertaining and informative as always. I find your videos so relaxing, thank you.

[@pauldickinson1434]

Absolutely fascinating John.. What a cracking walk, I've never heard of these Forts..

[@Aubury]

Great insight into London history, such a nice presentation..

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Very enjoyable walk! Such interesting history and its also a lovely part of the modern city. Thank you!

[@MrScotch16]

How does it seem so peaceful wherever you walk? Have you done the Adelphi before? Thank you very much! Scott

[@john80c]

Amazing how such an ordinary residential/commer5cial area has such a fascinating history. Tis a pity none of the forts survived but in the end the Royalists were restored so no chance of a preservation order. Brilliant job John, thank you. Where I live is in the middle of lots of American Civil War battle sites preserved against the developers.

[@gregpodmore2850]

Thanks John. Great vlog. 👍

[@SirPrancelot1]

Thanks John. Lots of interesting information.

[@GeorgeChoy]

Never thought of this, thanks for enlightening us.